Zoo celebrates Year of the Horse with parade, activities

Published 4:20 pm, Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates Asian New Year on Saturday, Feb. 8, with several activities for children.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates Asian New Year on Saturday, Feb. 8, with several activities for children.

Photo: Contributed Photo

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Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates Asian New Year on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a dragon procession at 2 p.m. and several other activities.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo celebrates Asian New Year on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a dragon procession at 2 p.m. and several other activities.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Zoo celebrates Year of the Horse with parade, activities

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Since the Asian New Year is upon us -- with its 15-day celebration that champions "reunions" among loved-ones, good food and fun times -- what better place to observe the holiday than at Connecticut's Bearsdley Zoo?

That's the thinking at the state's only zoo, which will celebrate the Year of the Horse with a parade and other activities on Saturday, Feb. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. (The snow date is Saturday, Feb. 15.)

Although there are no live horses at the zoo, there are plenty of decorative ones -- featured at the zoo's renowned carousel, pointed out Caryn Kaufman, a zoo spokeswoman.

"This is the 13th year that we are celebrating Asian New Year, which means this is the second time we're doing Year of the Horse; we've been through the full 12-year cycle" in which each year is represented by a specific animal, she said.

"We initiated the event as a way to host an annual event in the winter that connects to our animals. Asian New Year is the perfect opportunity for us to celebrate the diversity of cultures in our region as well as highlight a wide range of animals," she said.

Among the day's highlights will be a 2 p.m. children's procession. There will be no floats or bands, but rather children will be invited to follow a festive paper dragon as it wends its way around the property and by exhibits, she said.

"Both yoga and karate demonstrations -- representing the spectrum of countries in Asia that celebrate this holiday -- will be presented," Kaufman said.

Representatives from the Governor's Connecticut Horse Guard will be on hand to explain to visitors their ceremonial responsibilities and duties. Unfortunately, Kaufman said, they will be unable to bring their horses.

Storytelling and craft sessions will be offered as well.

"Children and adults are welcome to dress up in Asian-inspired outfits for the occasion," Kaufman said. Traditionally, red is worn as a sign of good luck.

"Our volunteers will do some `fortune telling' and horoscopes -- just for fun."

Even the zoo's cafe will get in the spirit, offering an Asian-themed menu with items for purchase, Kaufman said.

And for families that want horse-related souvenirs of their adventure, Kaufman noted: "We also have a horse statue that was installed a little more than a year ago in memory of one of our docents, Karen Torres, who was a horsewoman. Children love to have their photos taken on the horse."